We are blessed to enjoy a vast variety of plants on our mother planet. Each plant being a symbol of diversity is unique enough to attract our attention. Peperomia piccolo banda is one such beautiful flowering perennial plant. People grow and admire it because of its attractive foliage. The mesmerizing silvery-green veined leaves with purple to deep green tinge are supported on red stems.
Peperomia Piccolo Banda
These semi succulents are popular house plants with shade tolerance and drought resistance. Ecuador, South American native, low maintenance peacock plants are a great addition to your plant collection. In this article, we will share some basic information regarding the peacock plant.
Peperomia Piccolo Banda Classification
The scientific classification is mentioned below:
Family: Piperaceae.
Genus: Peperomia.
Species: P.albovittata
Piccolo Banda is actually a variety of the species albovittata. Thus the full botanical name of the plant is Peperomia albovittata ‘piccolo banda’. The term ‘albovittata’ means ‘having white bands or stripes’. This name is in reference to the prominent white pattern of stripes on the leaf surface.
The members of the genus Peperomia are commonly known as radiator plants. This is one of the two largest genera of its family. The quantity of recorded species is more than 1500. This American native genus has a diverse range of species and includes a number of succulents.
Furthermore, a few species are African natives as well. The majority of these plants are compact, perennials with epiphytic growing nature. In wild, rotten wood is their favorite growing spot. The point of admiration is their beautiful foliage and flowers in some species. A large number of varieties and cultivars are also available in common nurseries.
Peperomia Piccolo Banda Common Name
The typical pattern on the leaves of Peperomia Piccolo gives it the common name “Peacock”. However, this common name is linked to many other plants as well.
Features of The Plant
In this section, we are sharing some important features of the piccolo banda plant:
- The parent plant species albovittata have a critically endangered status in the wild. However, the varieties are common in professional and domestic plant collections.
- The leaves and stem are thick and fleshy in nature because of being semi succulents.
- The stems bear spikes or thorns along with the flowers.
- The flowers are insignificant and green in color.
- The plant spreads in a small bush-like spreading manner. An average plant is 0.2m tall and 0.3m wide.
- These are topical annual plants.
- The growth speed is relatively slow.
- The piccolo banda peperomia is usually tough plants with resistance to pests and diseases. However, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites may attack in unfavorable conditions.
Peperomia Piccolo Banda Care
Peperomia Piccolo Banda is a low maintenance plant. The important facts related to its care and requirements are mentioned below:
Water Requirement:
The plants are semi succulents, so they need very little water. These drought-tolerant plants can bear water shortages for a considerable time span. You can water them once a week in summer. However, watering the plants thrice a month would be enough for the winters. Always make sure to keep the upper 2 inches of the soil dry between the intervals. Soggy soil will lead to different kinds of problems for the plant.
Sunlight Requirement:
The Piccolo Banda needs full indirect sun to partial shade. They can do great in artificial light like fluorescent bulbs. This feature makes them an excellent choice as an indoor plant for offices and basements. A window facing north or east would be a great choice to place the plant. Always avoid direct sunlight exposure as it will burn the plant.
Soil Requirement:
An important point in Peperomia ‘Piccolo Banda’ care that it requires rich and well-drained soil. Furthermore, acidic to neutral soil is suitable for the plant with PH 5 to 7. A peat-based soil or peat and perlite in 2:1 shows good results.
Temperature Requirement:
This plant prefers warm temperature and is not tolerant towards freezing temperature. The ideal temperature range is between 10 degrees to 24 degrees Centigrade.
Fertilizer Requirement:
The plant prefers a rich growing medium. So, it will love fertilizer. Apply a suitably balanced fertilizer once a month in the growing season. Experts advise using half of the recommended dose for best results. In addition, fertilizers are not much required in the winter season.
Pruning Requirements:
The plant would do great if you prune them at the start of the spring season. Remove the ends of shoots to enhance the new and healthy growth of the plant. You can pinch the leaves and new leaves will appear from the nodes. If left without, the plant will start growing spindly and get an untidy and unattractive appearance.
Peperomia Piccolo Banda Propagation
The radiator plants are commonly propagated by seeds. However, this is a slow process. Thus, commercial growers prefer to propagate the plant by cuttings.
Season of Propagation:
The ideal season for propagation is mid of spring.
Method of Propagation:
These plants prefer repotting once a year. Repotting is the best time to carry out the division and propagation.
- Remove a healthy parent plant from the pot.
- Divide it into smaller pieces giving at least 2 to 3 roots to each division.
- Now remove a few leaves from the lower region of the stem.
- Use a sharp knife to make a minor cut under the node at the lower region of the stem.
- The next step is to place the divisions on a flat surface. This will make the callus tissue around the cuts.
- Repot the parent plant properly without letting the roots dry out.
- Now you can plant the cuttings in a pot with moist and rich soil and keep it at a warm temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also use a propagation case for the initial planting of the baby plants. However, experts never recommend fully covering the soil in a succulent or semi-succulent propagation. As the water retention in the leaves may create an excess of humidity. After you see the developing roots, you can transfer the baby plant to the main pot.
Timeline:
We are sharing here an estimated growth pattern of the Piccolo Banda plant in form of a timeline. This will help you to get an idea about plant growth and care. However, it is always better to keep the baby plants under observation and manage the requirements accordingly.
- Day 1: Plant the plant divisions in the pot or the propagation case. The soil should be moist and rich with organic material.
- Day 2 to Day 30: Keep the Peperomia Piccolo plant in warm temperature and mild indirect sunlight. Fluorescent light also will be enough for healthy plant growth. Mild watering once a week is enough at this time.
- Day 30: Day 60: By this time, the baby plants will be settling in the soil developing their root system. At this stage, you can mildly fertilize the plant. If the plant is in a propagation case, you can now transfer it carefully to the pot.
- Day 60 to 160: The plant is settled and seems to be growing. New shoots would be growing showing that the propagation is successfully completed. You are free to reduce your attention from the baby plant. To enhance the growth, you can use a suitably diluted fertilizer in low quantity once a month until the fall.
- Day 160 to Day 200: In the first fall of the plant, reduce the watering to thrice a month and always make sure that the upper soil is dry. Excess watering is harmful to these semi succulents. Make sure to keep them at a warm temperature. From next spring, you can follow the common routine of the plant by watering once or twice a week and adding monthly fertilizers. By this time, your plant will be an enjoyable and attractive little peacock plant.
Conclusion
Peperomia Piccolo Banda is a beautiful indoor plant from the Piperaceae family. The beautiful fleshy leaves with silvery striped leaves against dark green to the purple surface are supported on thick reddish stems. The semi succulents are drought-resistant and low maintenance plants.
Their ability to get along with partial shades and fluorescent light makes them an excellent choice for indoor and basement ornamentations. The peacock Peperomia Piccolo plant is attractive enough to decorate any corner of your room or office.
